We introduce and study interacting topological states that arise in time-reversal symmetric bands with an underlying obstruction to forming localized states. If the $U\left(1\right)$ valley symmetry linked to independent charge conservation in each time-reversal sector is spontaneously broken, the corresponding “excitonic” order parameter is forced to form a topologically nontrivial texture across the Brillouin zone. We show that the resulting phase, which we dub a textured exciton insulator, cannot be given a local-moment description because of a form of delicate topology. Using toy models of bands with Chern or Euler obstructions to localization, we construct explicit examples of the Chern or Euler texture insulators (CTIs or ETIs) they support, and demonstrate that these are generically competitive ground states at intermediate coupling. We construct field theories that capture the response properties of these new states. Finally, we identify the incommensurate Kekulé spiral phase observed in magic-angle bi- and trilayer graphene as a concrete realization of an ETI.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Chern insulators
• Excitons
• Topological phases of matter
• Bilayer graphene
• Twisted heterostructures
• Hartree-Fock methods